Our Environmental Targets

Sustainability is meeting the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own environmental, economic and social needs.

For all communities, the challenge of sustainability is to consider future generations in the decisions we make today.Decisions which deplete natural resources or produce waste beyond the regenerative capacity of the planet may jeopardise future generations' ability to enjoy this planet as we currently do.

Note: On 26 April 2016, Council adopted a revised suite of targets for each of the five action areas. These new targets are shown below. The Council report containing the rationale for the target revision is availablehere

Energy Targets

30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025

60kW of renewable energy installed at Council facilities by 2025

Water Targets

50% reduction of 2005/06 levels of water consumption (from mains) by 2025

Stormwater harvesting or rainwater harvesting systems installed on all major council assets by 2025.

Waste Targets

75% waste diversion from landfill by 2021-22

Litter collection devices and services throughout the LGA increase by 5% each year (% by volume)

Transport Targets

30km of roads within the LGA have designated bike lanes by 2025

Biodiversity Targets

75% Bushland under regeneration by 2025

40% Bushland fully regenerated by 2025

Increased, or maintained urban forest (ha) [measured every 5 years]

Reporting

In order to track our progress towards these targets, Council reports our achievements through our annual report, supported in the last three years by an annual environmental report card.

Our Plans and Strategies

In addition to our Environmental Sustainability Action Plan (ESAP), Council has a range of supporting plans and strategies to ensure the sustainable future of Woollahra.

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy

The Woollahra Biodiversity Conservation Strategy is currently being finalised, following public exhibition in July/August 2015. The Strategy contains a range of objectives and targets for biodiversity conservation in addition to those listed in our Environmental Sustainability Action Plan, and a list of prioritised actions for Council to implement.

Carbon Reduction Strategy and Action Plan

Woollahra Council employed the services of sustainability consultants Kinesis to measure its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and to develop a strategy and action plan to reduce and manage these emissions.

This project builds on the CCP program, Planet Footprint Reporting and Councils GHG action plan and sets out a target and strategies for Council to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2025.

Coastal Zone Management Planning

Woollahra is in the process of preparing a Coastal Zone Management Plan which will identify hazards and management issues related to our coastal zone, and propose management actions and an implementation schedule to address these.

Ecological Sustainable Taskforce

In June 2009 Woollahra Council established the 'Ecological Sustainable Taskforce' to provide additional strategic guidance to Council on environmental and sustainability issues. The Taskforce assists Council to integrate environmental sustainability into Council policy, plans and operations in our key priority action areas.

The Ecological Sustainable Taskforce is made up of five Councillors with a Chair appointed by the Mayor with advice offered by Council staff and other external experts as required.

Historical Reporting

Council has reported on our local environment for many years. While these reports are no longer created (due to the above plans and policies), they serve as helpful historical records of the challenges facing our local environment over time.

State of the Environment Reporting

State of the Environment (SoE) reporting enabled councils to report on the state of the environment in their local area and the progress of environmental activities undertaken during the reporting period.

SoE reporting was a statutory requirement under the Local Government Act 1993 (LG Act) up until 2012. Every council in New South Wales was required to prepare a SoE report as part of its reporting obligations.